This assignment was completed individually for my Fashion Journalism Class for the purpose of reporting fashion-worthy news.
Emma Hart | 10.9.25
Mattieu Blazy’s Chanel debut at Paris Fashion Week signaled a striking new direction for the legendary fashion house, blending Chanel’s classic heritage with new innovation
All eyes were on Matthieu Blazy this week as he signified a new era of Chanel by mixing their classic codes into reimagined looks with his debut Spring 2026 ready-to-wear show closing Paris Fashion Week, and he did not disappoint. Blazy, who was previously the Creative Director of Bottega Veneta, stepped into his new role at Chanel earlier this year. This debut was highly anticipated as his predecessor Virginie Viard remained close to Chanel’s traditional roots during her time in charge and Blazy’s aim was to challenge them creatively while also keeping in touch with that significance.
Mathieu Blazy solidified his legacy on Monday as a next level designer with an ability to reimagine Chanel’s tradition into new relevance. Blazy took heavy inspiration from Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel for a large portion of this collection and added his own architectural vision to it. As the brand faced rising pressure to connect with a younger audience without losing what it was at its core, Blazy’s fresh vision delivered exactly what the fashion house needed to reassert its dominance in the industry. The collection showcased the reimagining of Chanel’s classic tweed suit, crisp androgynous blouses layered with sculpted overcoats, and the reutilization of the classic Chanel pearls into modern embellishments.
Another memorable aspect of this debut was the galactic set design adorned with massive celestial globes hanging in the air. This design is symbolic of the new era that has begun under Blazy’s vision. A new universe of modern interpretations that remain true to the brand’s origin yet create new interest has come to be. The set design itself held true to Chanel’s classically intricate set designs under Karl Lagerfeld’s era. When asked about the inspiration behind the celestial choice Blazy stated, “We all look at the same sky. We all see the stars. There is something universal. It should also be beautiful and enjoyable, this is what we have to propose also in fashion.”
Critics praised the show afterwards deeming it a massive success with fashion journalist Sarah Mower stating, “Blazy didn’t reinvent Chanel, he reminded us why it still matters”. Blazy’s true impact is still yet to come as Chanel plans to build on the momentum and we’ll see more of his work in the coming year. However, the message with this debut is clear, tradition does not have to be replaced, but can be rebuilt and reinvented into a new light.
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